One of our favorite things to do while cruising on Holland America Line is to dine at the Pinnacle Grill specialty restaurant. After several years without a change, the menu at the Pacific Northwest-themed steak and seafood restaurant was recently updated fleet wide, starting with our December 22 Holiday cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam.
Like many loyal Holland America guests, we were concerned when we heard about the new menu changes.
Gone were favorites Steak Diane, the Caesar salad that was tossed table side, and the lobster tails.
Also the beef supplier changed from Sterling Silver beef to Double R Ranch Steaks, from Washington State.
We are happy to report that the 7 ounce Petite Filet Mignon, here with horseradish-mustard sauce is as delicious as ever.
An updated version of a Caesar Salad is served on a parmesan cheese wafer. It’s a little different to cut up, but is still appealing.
West coast style seafood cioppino is one of the new seafood entree selections. It includes clams, mussels, shrimp, halibut and Alaskan crab in a tomato broth.
The new shareable sides of fresh vegetables are another positive addition to the menu. Rather than choosing, they bring you a selection of the evening. The wilted spinach, baby carrots, grilled asparagus and sauted mushrooms were perfect with our filling steaks.
We find the wine list limited, so we like to bring along a bottle of our favorite California Zinfandel, Rafanelli. We were pleasantly surprised to see that the wine list offered a Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla, but it was not in stock during our cruise.
A few things have not changed about the Pinnacle Grill dining experience.
The dessert menu has stayed the same. It’s a tough choice between the Chocolate Volcano Cake, the Pinnacle Creme Brulee (with 3 flavors in the same dessert), the Creamy Raspberry Cheesecake or the Not-So-Classic Baked Alaskan.
Another reason to love the Pinnacle Grill is the gracious service that makes for an enjoyable dining experience. This hasn’t changed as our waiters Hadi and Chris were fabulous.
Plus, the dining venue is beautiful and romantic, especially in the Pinnacle Grill on the Nieuw Amsterdam.
Along with the menu changes, the price increased from $25 per person to $29 per person to dine in the Pinnacle Grill. 3-Star Mariners receive a 25 percent discount. 4-star Mariners receive a 50 percent discount and 5-star Mariners (those who have sailed on Holland America for 500 or more days) receive two complimentary dinners in the Pinnacle Grill during each cruise.
Many Holland America guests who booked their 2014 cruise in an ocean-view, verandah or suite accomodation under the Explore 4 promotion during the Fall of 2013 will receive a complimentary Pinnacle Grill dinner. Others often receive a night at the Pinnacle Grill from their travel agent.
If you love great food, superior service and an intimate dining venue, you will enjoy a night of dining at the Pinnacle Grill.
What’s your favorite dish in the Pinnacle Grill? Is it still on the new menu? Please share in comments below.
You may be interested in these other posts on cruising with Holland America Line:
Another past visit to the Pinnacle Grill on the Veendam
- Sailing Away to Bermuda on the ms Veendam
- Sailing into Hamilton, Bermuda on Holland America’s Veendam
- Cruising the British Isles: Onboard the Prinsendam
- 10 Best Views in Europe from a Cruise Ship
- Cruising into Bordeaux, France
- A Look Inside Spa Verandah Stateroom 10034 on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam
- An Evening at Le Cirque onboard the Veendam
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